Legal framework and some practical aspects of the performance of interpreting and translation by the court appointed interpreters and translators in the Czech republic

Jana Schovancova, Chairperson of the Board, Chamber of Court Appointed Interpreters and Translators of the Czech Republic

Performance of interpreting and translation by the court appointed translators and interpreters in the Czech Republic is actually regulated by the Act No. 36/1967 Coll., on Certified Experts, Translators and Interpreters and the Decree No. 37/1967 Coll., to execute the Act on Certified Experts, Translators and Interpreters, in its current version. Court appointed translators and interpreters in the Czech Republic are appointed by a Regional Court, with jurisdiction according to their places of residence. A court appointed translator/interpreter works especially for civil services, Police, courts, prosecuting attorney´s offices but also for private persons whose intention is, for example, to work abroad. The online version of the official Register of Court Appointed Translators and Interpreters is available by visiting the website of the Ministry of Justice of the Czech Republic: www.justice.cz.

The register of court appointed translators and interpreters – members of the Chamber of Court Appointed Translators and Interpreters of the Czech Republic is available by visiting the website of the Chamber: www.kstcr.cz . The Chamber of Court Appointed Interpreters and Translators of the Czech Republic is a voluntary professional organization to associate, represent and defend the interests of interpreters and translators qualified, admitted, appointed and sworn pursuant to Act No. 36/1967 Coll., on Certified Experts, Translators and Interpreters, as amended.

A certified translation shall include the original document or its certified copy, the translation of the document into the target language, and, on a separate page, the „translator´s clause“, sealed by the seal of the translator and signed by him/her. The translator´s clause contains certification by the court appointed translator that the translation corresponds with the original document. The eventual certified copy of the document shall be made either by a notary or by a registrar of the competent Municipal Authority since a court appointed translator cannot verify the conformity of the copy with the original document. The entire packet has to be stitched together to prevent an unobserved separation; it is perforated, and a lace is drawn through and sealed by the translator´s seal.

Translations are charged according to „standard pages“. Interpreting is charged by rates for a working day, which means 8 hours, including all breaks. The interpreter is entitled to include time spent outside his/her professional or private address into the rate. Payment of travel expenses (travel, meals, accommodation, etc.) is governed by valid regulations of the Czech Republic.

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Legal framework and some practical aspects of the performance of interpreting and translation.pdf

Legal framework and some practical aspects of the performance of interpreting and translation_paper.pdf